How Long Does Ceramic Coating Take to Apply

December 15, 2022
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You've just purchased a new car and want to protect its exterior. You might have an older car but still want to find ways to keep it in good shape. With old techniques like waxing and new ones coming out all the time, it can take a while to figure out which one is best for you. Fortunately, the decision is simpler than you might think. Ceramic coating is a wise choice.


Ceramic coating is currently the best option for vehicle paint correction. It is worth considering because it can help protect your car's exterior paint from damage. Is a ceramic coat, however, worth the money? Is it capable of doing more than just making your car look new and shiny? The short answer is yes to both of these questions.


Benefits of Giving Your Car a Ceramic Coat 


  • Ceramic coatings add an extra layer of protection for your car from various elements that can cause damage. The ceramic coating forms a layer of protection that easily repels water and other substances that can cause rust and further damage. 
  • Your vehicle will be more durable.
  • A ceramic coating repels mud and dirt.
  • It will make your car easier to clean.
  • A ceramic coating will eliminate the need to wax your car.
  • It will make your car look new longer by giving the paint job that showroom shine.
  • Ceramic coating is cost-effective compared to traditional waxing. After all, spending money to prevent damage is always cheaper than repairing the damage.


While most ceramic coatings protect the surface from direct sunlight, bird droppings, tree sap, acid rain, and other substances or chemicals, they do not provide complete scratch resistance. It only takes one bad wash to leave swirl marks or small scratches on your car's finish.


Applying Ceramic Car Coatings


Ceramic coating is an excellent paint protector for automobiles, boats, RVs, and even planes. Depending on the ceramic coat brand, it can last for up to a decade if properly applied. Do you want to give your car a ceramic coating? If this is the case, it is important to understand that it is a difficult process that can take some time to complete.


How Long Does It Take to Apply Ceramic Coating?


Typically, the ceramic coating application process takes two to three days. Usually, the preparation stages take one to two days to complete, while the ceramic coating takes just a few hours to apply. However, the coating must be allowed to cure properly, which can take up to 24 hours.


How Long Does It Take to Prepare Ceramic Coatings?


The most time-consuming stage of the application process is preparing your vehicle's paint for a coating job. The coating application is quick, but the preparation is time-consuming.


To ensure that the coating bonds to the applied surface, the vehicle's surface must be properly prepared. This includes a thorough decontamination wash, machine polishing, and panel wiping. Otherwise, the ceramic coating will not be able to achieve its maximum durability.

how long does ceramic coating take to apply

Below Is a Summary of the Steps Involved and an Estimate of How Long They Take:


  • Pre-wash and contact wash – 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the vehicle size
  • Chemical decontamination wash – 20 to 30 minutes
  • Physical decontamination – 20 to 30 minutes
  • Wash again and dry – 10 to 20 minutes
  • Inspection of the car’s paint – 15 minutes
  • Machine polishing – three to six hours
  • Panel wipe solution – 10 to 20 minutes


As a result, the entire preparation time ranges between six and ten hours. The decontamination and washing steps are fairly simple and should take about three hours if everything is ready and you work efficiently. If this is your first time, you may need an extra hour to get into the swing of things.


How Long Does It Take to Apply the Ceramic Coat?


The application of a ceramic coat takes very little time. Most medium-sized vehicles take between 30 minutes and an hour. Furthermore, if you follow the instructions correctly, the process is fairly simple. However, due to flash times, some coatings may take longer to apply than others. The "flash time" is the amount of time between spreading and buffing the coating.


Working on one panel at a time is usually required for coatings with short flash times of 15-20 seconds. This entails applying a thin coat of coating, waiting, and buffing. Ceramic coatings with longer flash times, on the other hand, allow you to coat two to three sections at once and then buff them off.


How Long Does It Take the Coating to Cure Properly?


After applying the coating, allow it to cure properly. The cure time is the time it takes for the material to harden completely. It is critical that the coating not become wet prior to hardening; otherwise, it may fail. Curing times typically range from 12 to 24 hours after application. As a result, you should avoid driving your car during this time.


Vehicle Detailing in Dayton, Ohio, & Richmond, Indiana


Are you looking for a distinct brand of high-quality interior and exterior cleaning, detailing, and ceramic coatings? If this is the case, please visit Vehicle Enhancement Inc. to learn more about the services we provide. Our ceramic coatings will make your car's paint look new and shiny, like an exotic jewel, while also increasing its durability.


We specialize in removing surface blemishes or paint defects from the exterior of your vehicle using a painstaking paint correction process. To ensure a clean, shiny finish and deliver unrivaled quality, the highest-quality expertise, techniques, and products are required. The good news is that we have the knowledge and are the best in the industry. We are masters of our trade and approach each job with zeal.


To request an appointment, click here for a free quote or call 937-296-0328. Alternatively, you can visit us at 4002 Kettering Blvd, Moraine, Ohio, or 85 S 37th St, Richmond, Indiana, depending on which location is most convenient for you.

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